Katharine, Duchess of Kent, died on September 4, 2025, after a long and fulfilling life. The late royal, who was 92, was the wife of Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Though Katharine maintained a more private lifestyle than the rest of the royal family, she was known for her interests in music and tennis.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the late duchess’ death in a statement, which read, “The King and Queen and all members of the Royal Family join the Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly the duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organizations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”
News47.us is remembering Katharine with five facts about her below.
It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.
The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke… pic.twitter.com/OsCeb3pQ7d
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 5, 2025
In the mid-1990s, Katharine became the first member of the royal family to publicly convert to Catholicism since the Act of Settlement 1701, which disqualified any heir from inheriting the throne. However, Katharine was not in the line of succession, so the act didn’t affect her in any way.
Nevertheless, her religious conversion made headlines at the time. At one point, per the Mirror, she discussed her preference for guidelines, crediting the Catholic Church with having those for followers.
“I do love guidelines, and the Catholic Church offers you guidelines. I have always wanted that in my life,” Katharine previously said. “I like to know what’s expected of me. I like being told: ‘You shall go to church on Sunday and if you don’t you’re in for it!’”
